Contact Info
Mike A. Trethewey
miketrethewey@gmail.com
Laura E. Trethewey
penguinpixi@live.com
If you need more specific information to contact us please send us an email! Thank you for your time.
FAQ
- Where do you guys live?
- We initially lived in Beaverton, OR (about 20 minutes away from Portland) and have since relocated to Rainier, OR (about 60 minutes away from Portland).
- What is Testicular Cancer?
- Cancer of the testis, like other cancers it can spread. You can read an overview of testicular cancer here or at WebMD. This is the same type of cancer that Lance Armstrong beat, and it had spread to his brain.
- What does it mean that Mike has stage two, metastatic testicular cancer?
- A lot of the time, stages of cancer depends on the type of tumors and how far the cancer is spread. Their are metastatic tumors in mikes lungs, and abdomen. More information can be found in the above links.
- Why does he need this surgery so badly?
- Because these metastic tumors can still grow and spread, even after the chemotherapy. Currently they are operable, and mike can still go into remision, this is why time is of the essence. This type of cancer can spread quickly and can still become terminal.
- Did Mike's hair fall out during chemotherapy?
- Yes it did, as did his beard, and all other body hair.
- What are some common problems with getting Mike assistance?
- No children
- No insurance
- Not under 18/19
- Not over 65
- Not the right kind of cancer
- Not sick for long enough
- Most "charities" are out of funds
- Most associations redirect to 211 which dead ends at Oregon Health Plan
- Most redirects dead end at Oregon Health Plan
- Oregon Health Plan is not accepting
- Pre-existing condition clause for new Insurance- Waiting period 6-12 months
As I get more questions that are commonly asked I will update.
Associations that are providing some kind of assistance:
- ***Virginia Mason Medical Center***
- Working with testicular cancer specialist, originally a Kaiser referral. Preforming the surgery, and covering most of the costs!
- Department of State Lands
- Looking into unclaimed funds.
- Legacy Comprehensive Cancer Center at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center
- Annette (Oncology Nurse Navigator), no primary leads, emotional support
- No Insurance Surgery
- Application Filed
- Oregon Health & Science University Urology
- Exploring Financial Assistance program
- Providence Medical and Cancer Centers
- Exploring Financial Assistance program
Associations that we have called more than once and are still on the search for more help:
- Federal Medical Insurance Pool (FMIP)
- applying, waiting to hear back
- Oregon Health and Sciences University and other colleges
- not currently terminal
- Oregon State Representative Chris Harker (Salem, OR) (rep.chrisharker@state.or.us)
- Kimberly Goddard: Referrals to Oregon High Risk Pool, Project Access NOW, Oregon State Representative Suzanne Bonamici
- Oregon State Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (Salem, OR) (sen.elizabethsteinerhayward@state.or.us)
- Gail Snyder: advocating
- Oregon State Senator Jeff Merkley (Washington, D.C.)
- Advocating
- 21st Care
- Referred to OHP
- American Association for Cancer Research
- Redirects
- American Cancer Society
- Based on availability, not available, redirects
- Cancer Care
- Based on availability, did not qualify based on condition as well
- Cancer Transportation
- Does not support Oregon
- Civil Rights Division of Oregon
- Redirects
- Community Action
- Based on availability, not available
- DHS Seniors and Disability
- Has not been disabled for more than 12 months, is not over the age of 65, is not currently terminal
- Dr. Vuky
- Seeing if Dr. Vuky is next step. If not, where to go next.
- Emanuel Hospital
- Dead End referral
- Energy Assistance Program
- Based on availability, not available
- Family Health Insurance Assistance Program
- Referral to OHP- dead end
- Legacy Health System
- Dead End referral
- LiveStrong: The Lance Armstrong Foundation
- Does not provide funding for cancer patients in the state of Oregon
- Oregon Health Connect
- Dead End referral
- Oregon Health Plan (OHP)
- Not accepting applicants, not currently terminal
- Oregon State Representative Suzanne Bonamici
- Referrals to Oregon Health and Science University, Patient Navigator: Lance Armstrong, American Cancer Society (already exploring, Dead End referrals)
- Patient Advocate Situation
- Referred to OHP
- Planned Parenthood
- Dead End referral
- Regence Oregon Medical Insurance
- Referral
- Shriners Hospital: Wilsonville, Oregon and other locations
- Didn't qualify for assistance, waiting to hear back.
- Shriners Hospital Headquarters:
- On their list, awaiting futher response from them
- Susan G Komen Foundation
- No funds/does not help testicular cancer
- United Way 211
- Referrals for local food banks and emergency support- based on avail.
- Various Prescription Drug Outreach/other similar programs
- Currently we have no need for these, have been kept on file for potential need later.
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